Common Pinoy Phrases
We are back...
(Heto nanaman po kami.)
Ready? (Ok ka na?)
Yes. (Oo/ Opo.)
Let's go. (Tara na.)
Today, we will talk about a few basic English words and phrases that are in common use by Pinoys but may not be easily understood by a non-native Tagalog speaker without some sort of explanation.
Conversation 101
When they say: I second emotion.
They mean: I second the/that motion.
When they say: For a while.
They mean: Please wait, we will be back promptly.
When they say: Open the lights. Close the TB.
They mean: Turn on the light switch. Switch off the TV.
When they say: I will fax you.
They mean: I will send you a fax message.
When they say: I am getting high blood. (Or nakaka-high blood, or nakaka taas ng dugo).
They mean: I am getting hot under the collar.
When they say: Fall in line.
They mean: Form a line.
When they say: Mamser.
They mean: Hello ma'am. Or Hello sir. (Pinoys are ahead of everyone else in terms of gender sensitivity).
When they say: It was trapik.
They mean: Traffic was bad. (Arriving late is normally tolerated).
When they say: Out of stock.
Such as in response to, do you have this shirt in a large or in orange? Or do you have a double cheese burger?
They mean: We are out -- may mean permanently or temporarily.
You can follow up with: "Kailan magkakaroon?" (When will it be available?)
And commonly used words that might be unusual are:
Aircon is AC
CR is Restroom
Ref is Fridge
Pridgider is any fridge
Colgate is any toothpaste
Cok is any soda
Diet any diet soda
Napkin is table napkin but may also refer to the sanitary kind.
Ice water is water inside a plastic bag for drinking (chilled).
Eat all you can is All you can eat.
Lastly, for those who have never been to the Philippines, some Pinoys may call Caucasians as "Joe" or Blacks as "Negro". But they mean no disrespect.
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